Journey to the North Pole

“Reach the North Pole on board a powerful ice breaker with helicopters, hot air balloons and Zodiacs adding to an eco-aware adventure 90° North. ”

Highlights

Live on-board the largest and most powerful icebreaker on the planet | helicopter flight over the Arctic Ocean | champagne toast and balloon flight upon reaching the North Pole | spend two days exploring Franz Josef Land | potential wildlife encounters, include: polar bears, walrus and remote seabird rookeries | Helsinki

Description of Journey to the North Pole

This journey to the North Pole on board an incredibly powerful ice breaker reaches the places other ships simply can’t access, making this a particularly rare and exciting 14 day vacation. The '50 Years of Victory' is the world’s largest and most powerful Polar Class ice breaker, able to smash through ice that’s metres thick and sail in conditions that would be too much for other vessels. It’s equipped with helicopters, too, and flights give a unique aerial perspective on this frozen landscape.

You’ll board the ship in Murmansk to travel to the North Pole. Celebrate reaching this landmark with a polar plunge or hot air balloon flight, weather permitting. Up here, everywhere you look is south and you can do the shortest possible circumnavigation of the globe. We then head south to Franz Josef Land, a remote landscape of 191 islands and high cliffs where birdlife thrives. We’ll explore via Zodiac and helicopter rides, looking out for walrus and polar bears. This is a really special 11 day expedition cruise to the top of the world, with highly qualified Expedition Staff on board and comfortable conditions.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.

Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: Journey to the North Pole

Environment

Reducing Emissions and Waste:Our eco-conscious approach means we travel to remote and pristine destinations differently than others in the industry. Our vessel burns Marine Gas Oil (MGO) – a clean burning fuel with a low emission factor- and despite being far more expensive, it is the only fuel we consider using. We also reduce consumption and emissions by tailoring our itinerary to operate at a more leisurely pace, rather than going full steam ahead at all times. Our smaller Zodiac landing crafts are more lightweight and nimble and they are powered by low-emission engines as well. We offer a carbon offsetting option for clients and make a collective effort to minimise excess waste on board, disposing of everything on land.

On Board Efforts:We strictly adhere to all international policies regarding disposal of waste at sea and only use recycled and acid free paper on board and in brochures. Clients are also encouraged to recycle and reduce waste by providing a re-usable water bottle for the trip. Cabins are fitted with eco-friendly amenities and even the laundry is done with green detergents. We are committed to providing delicious but sustainably sourced meals during the trip, so rest assured that any seafood you encounter at a meal on board has been reasonably caught.

Conservation:We are acutely aware of the fragile nature of Polar environments and the species which inhabit them. Therefore we are dedicated to supporting charities which deal with conservation of these areas in particular. This year, for example, we will continue to raise funds for Polar Bears International – an organisation protecting this critically threatened species through research, education, action programs and stewardship. We have also been involved in the development of the ‘Underwater Bait Setter’ – a new piece of fishing equipment which prevents seabird bycatch by setting hooks underwater.

UK Office:It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

Community

Staff and Client Preparation:We have developed a comprehensive staff training and accreditation program which ensures that our staff is fully aware of responsible tourism issues and that they are kept updated with refresher courses. From safety to environmental sustainability, our staff should be experts and able to pass vital information on clients in briefings. We also send extensive preparatory packs out to every group including guidelines from the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators and our own material. We emphasise that the protection of this pristine yet fragile environment and its wildlife is at the forefront of what we do.

Community:Franz Josef Land is the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia and lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. Being such a remote area, the only local population we might come across for days are polar bears, seabirds and walruses. However, by promoting an ethical and sustainable form of tourism to this region of the world, we are generating wider interest in the environment and communities within the Arctic.